Thigh injury forces Rafael Nadal to withdraw from Brisbane International

By

Connor Grott

Rafael Nadal waves to the crowd after he had to retire at the end of the second set against Juan Martin Del Potro in their semi-final match on September 7, 2018 in Arthur Ashe Stadium at the 2018 U.S. Open Tennis Championships at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City. Photo by Ray Stubblebine/UPI | License Photo

Jan. 2 (UPI) -- World No. 2 Rafael Nadal withdrew from the Brisbane International on Wednesday after an MRI showed a strain in his left thigh.

"I did an MRI and it shows a small strain on my left thigh," Nadal told reporters. "I tried to play, I wanted to play, but recommendations from the doctors [said no].

"It's a small thing that can become a much bigger [issue]. When you compete, the intensity on the muscle, it can get worse. I feel better than I did four days ago. It's a risk to damage my body for one month if I play."